Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 82: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DEATH DEFERRED all. Then, when I heard the sirens, I panicked. I ran at top speed for over a mile, stumbling through the light- less streets, bumping into people, cursing them, smashing them out of my way. All I could think of was getting here, getting to shelter away from the bombs. I almost went crazy when I saw you shutting the door.” He stared down at his hands and sighed. “I’m afraid that I’m not a very brave man.” “So you admit it.” “I’ve never denied it.’’ He looked at the pudgy man. “But I keep remembering how I felt, the panic clawing at my guts and the insane fear, and I knew that I might stand a chance if I could only get here in time. What of the others? The millions of men and women who just had to sit and wait, without hope and without a single chance at all? They relied on people like you, Harrigan, you and those they voted into power. You failed them. You left them to wait in the darkness while you ran like a rat to your bolt hole; left them to die in their millions, half of them never 81 knowing what was happening. How does it feel to be the murderer of acity, Harrigan ?”’ “Damn you! You talk to me like that after I’ve saved your life? Sitting here and eating my food, drinking my water, breathing my air! At least you could be grateful for what I’ve done.” “Then I’m grateful,” said George, tiredly. ““Now let’s forget it, shall we?” He turned to help Lorna prepare the food, and Jeff scowled as he saw them glance at each other in silent under- standing. Two days later they opened the surface vent. Jeff grunted as he strained at the wheel controlling the valve and George helped him, throwing his weight against the metal. ““No good,” he gasped after a concerted effort. “It’s stuck.”’ ‘““We’ve got to get it open.” Jeff gasped as he breathed the stale air. ““The bottled oxygen is exhausted and we daren’t open a door for fear of radio- active dust. Lorna, come over here and give a hand, Ready? Now!” conicloooks.conm